During my test time with the 1.3-litre Yaris Verso it was described as an ‘upmarket hen house’ and ‘Pat the Postman’s van’.

Both expressions were unfair to this tall mini MPV (1700mm high) based on the reliable Toyota Yaris car and which costs €18,500 for the entry level Luna version. It is packed with quality features.

There is simply superb all-round vision because the windows are above average size, not to mention the huge rear window that goes down most of the rear of the car, and the fact that you sit 20% higher than usual. But only the Sol version offers height adjustment on the driver’s seat.

The car’s long wheelbase gives it a good sense of balance and the extra height offers masses of carrying capacity to deal with all the different kinds of lifestyle demands of a growing family. Roof rails help carry a longer load.
Wide opening doors make loading luggage a lot easier than normal. It also means easier access by perhaps elderly grandparents.

Road handling was impressive. Steering is precise but light and the car has a turning radius of just 5.1 metres, good for manoeuvring round busy streets or into tight parking spots. And despite its tallness, I never found myself concerned with roll.

The transmission is very good, but then I’ve never found gear shifting to be a problem in any Toyota car so far.

On the safety side, the Verso has front and rear crumple zones, reinforced central roof pillars and side impact protection bars. There’s also a collapsible brake pedal to minimise foot and leg injuries and the steering column also collapses.

All three rear seats have three-point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seat belts and the two outer rear seats also incorporate ISO fix anchors for child restraints. The front seat belts have pre-tensioners and force limiters that work with the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) front and optional side airbags for more protection.

The front seats also have a Whiplash Injury lessening design where the top of the seat supports your upper back and the headrest limits backward movement of the head.

Recent tests by the German autoclub ADAC found that the Toyota Yaris seats provide the best whiplash protection in the event of a rear crash. ADAC say the Yaris registered the best performance over ten other ‘city cars’ tested.

All Yaris Versos are fitted as standard with an immobiliser, child-proof locks on the rear and back doors and a fuel cap lock. In addition, central power door locking is standard on Yaris Verso Luna and Sol models with keyless entry standard on Sol.

You’ll find electric windows in the front, wind up ones behind.

All instruments and controls are easy to see. Speed is shown in three-dimensional digital meters that are easy on the eye. The multifunctional display on the central console, which shows your audio settings and the time, average and instant fuel consumption, average speed and current temperature. (Satellite Navigation is available as an option). Audio controls can be mounted on the steering wheel.

ABS in an optional extra as is air conditioning on Luna and Sol models.
The review car came with 4 airbags, central locking, and high mounted rear brake lights.

There are over 30 storage areas in the Yaris Verso which include a double glove box, centre book & CD case, centre console storage areas, glasses case on the front roof console, under steering wheel storage, front under seat storage tray, rear underfloor storage, front door bins, seat back pockets, front and rear cup holders, and a hard type tonneau cover. A rear parcel shelf in the luggage area lowers to take loads of up to 50 kg.

The sloping storage spaces above the windscreen are handy for docket books or such items you need close to hand.

Front seats slide back and forth and the rear centre seat will fold over to become a hard-surface tabletop or it can be removed altogether to make more room. The two outer rear seats can fold individually into the floor. When a five seater, you have 390 litre of boot space behind the rear seats. When you fold the rear seats flat, this rises to a huge 2,160 litre carrying capacity.

The 1.3-litre offers 122 Nm/440 rpm of torque and 85bhp power output, and does 0-100km/h acceleration in 12.7 seconds. Top speed is 165 km/h. Expect around 6.4 litres per 100 km for the combined fuel cycle.

The Verso is available with a choice of nine exterior colours and two different interior finishes.

Each car comes with a three-year or 60,000 mile warranty covering any mechanical failure. Paint work is also guaranteed for three years. the body has a 12-year corrosion perforation warranty.